Endorsement
Endorsement Overview
At AIMHiTN, we champion the cause of infant and early childhood mental health, emphasizing the significance of culturally sensitive, relationship-focused practices. We believe in our commitment to building strong foundations, nurturing healthy relationships, and illuminating bright futures for children from birth to age six. This commitment stems from our core belief that these elements are indispensable for a child's well-being and lifelong success. By earning an endorsement, professionals enhance their capabilities and understanding, thus becoming powerful allies in our pursuit of cultivating resilient foundations, healthy relationships, and promising futures for our young children. Their expertise amplifies our collective impact, taking us one step closer to our mission of enhancing infant and early childhood mental health.
The Infant Mental Health Endorsement® (IMH-E®) and the Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement® (ECMH-E®) are based on a set of competencies designed to support and enhance culturally sensitive, relationship-focused practice within the framework of infant and early childhood mental health. An Endorsement applicant demonstrates acquisition of these competencies through education, work, specialized training, and reflective supervision experiences.
Working with our youngest citizens requires specialized training and experience, and endorsement ensures professionals have attained a certain level of expertise with very young children and their families. IMH-E® ensures professionals have attained a certain level of expertise with 0 – 3 year olds and their families. ECMH-E® assures that professionals have attained a certain level of expertise with 3 - 6 year olds and their families. Both IMH-E® and ECMH-E® are relevant for professionals across disciplines including academia, child welfare, early care and education, home visitation, medicine, mental health, policy, prevention and early intervention, and others.
We are committed to addressing the critical shortage of well-trained professionals capable of promoting healthy social and emotional development, as highlighted in Neurons to Neighborhoods (Shonkoff & Phillips, 2000) and Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth through Age 8: A Unifying Foundation (2015).
Our goal is to improve outcomes for children from birth to age 6 and their families by raising the bar in the field of infant and early childhood mental health services.
See our FAQ’s for details on the Endorsement process
Considering Endorsement?
These are just a few benefits to our AIMHiTN Infant/ Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement® program that can distinguish you in the field of infant and early childhood mental health:
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Competency & Professionalism
Endorsements validate your skills and knowledge in a particular field. They indicate that you have met a certain standard of competence, which can lend credibility and demonstrate professionalism.
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Career Advancement
Endorsements can lead to career advancement opportunities. They can make you more appealing to employers, potentially leading to increased job opportunities, higher salaries, or promotions.
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Continuous Learning
The process of earning an endorsement often involves ongoing learning and professional development. This can help you stay current with the latest research, strategies, and best practices in your field.
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Networking Opportunities
Pursuing an endorsement can also provide networking opportunities. Professionals can connect with others in their field who are also pursuing endorsements, leading to potential collaborations or sharing of knowledge and experiences.
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Improved Outcomes for Children
Ultimately, the knowledge and skills gained through earning an endorsement can lead to improved outcomes for children. Professionals who are knowledgeable and competent in their field are better equipped to provide high-quality care and education.
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Increased Confidence
Earning an endorsement can also increase confidence in your abilities. This boost in confidence can improve job performance and satisfaction. While also giving you the tools needed to offer your best work.
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Recognition of Specialized Skills
In early childhood careers, endorsements can highlight your specialized skills, knowledge, and expertise in working with infants, children, their families, or the broader community. These skills can be applied to either the micro or macro setting.
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Broadened Impact & Reach
Endorsements in early childhood mental health can significantly amplify your positive impact. This enhanced understanding and refined skills, combined with a reputable endorsement, can enable you to better serve not only children in need but also the community at large, potentially influencing policy and practice on a broader scale.
Endorsement Pathways
Endorsement is available across four practice specialties spanning the continuum of care. Individuals apply for the Endorsement pathway that best matches their scope of practice.
Infant/ Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement®:
Infant / Early Childhood Family Associate: Promotion
Infant / Early Childhood Family Specialist: Prevention / Early Intervention
Infant / Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist: Clinical Intervention / Treatment
Infant / Early Childhood Mental Health Mentor: Leadership / Macro
Endorsed Reflective Supervisor Add-On: Can be added to the Family Specialist or Mental Health Specialist Endorsements
Endorsement Requirements
The Association of Infant Mental Health in Tennessee invites professionals who work with or on behalf of young children, birth to age 6, and their families to consider Endorsement. The Endorsement design encourages participation and professional development across multiple categories:
* Family Associate applicants need to meet the education OR the work requirement; applicants do not need to meet both.
** Family Associate applicants may use volunteer experience in lieu of work experience if it was supervised experience with women during pregnancy or with infants, toddlers, and families AND included specialized training. Examples include CASA, Doula, and Child Life Specialist.
*** RSC must be provided by an Endorsed or Vetted provider. Contact endorsement@aimhitn.org to confirm that your RSC provider is a qualified provider for Endorsement.
^33 clock hours of training required; at least 30 hrs. must pertain to promoting of social-emotional development of children from birth to age 6 and/or other relationship-based principles and practices of infant and early childhood mental health; a minimum of 3 hours of training must be specific to diversity, equity and inclusion in infant and early childhood mental health
